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STROPANTHUS.
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disinfectant in the treatment of unhealthy wounds, pharyngeal
catarrh, acute purulent conjunctivitis, and other diseases of the
eyes. The powder has been successfully used in catarrh of the
cervix uteri, and the zinc-sozoiodol in urethritis, and vaginitis
;
also in eczema and impetigo.
Dental Uses.—Sozoiodol is employed with advantage in the
acute forms of stomatitis, and other conditions of the oral mucous
membrane, also in unhealthy or contaminated wounds of the
mouth in the forms of a watery solution or powder.

STROPHANTHUS—STROPHANTHUS HISPIDUS.

Source.—Strophanthus is derived from the climbing plant stro-
phanthus hispidus (Apocynaceas) of western Africa, from the ex-
tract of which the arrow-poison Kombe is made by the natives.
The active principle is Strophanthine from which Strophanthidin is
derived by the action of sulphuric acid. Strophanthin is a crys-
tallizable glucoside, common to different parts of the plant, but
especially in the seeds which yield a large proportion.
Medical Properties and Therapeutic Uses.—Strophanthin is bit-
ter, acidulous, insoluble in ether and chloroform, but soluble in
alcohol and water. It is a local anaesthetic, as three or four drops
of a solution of i to lOOO dropped into the cornea will anaesthe-
tize it for one or two hours without any irritation of the conjunc-
tiva. It is considered by some to be a more powerful local
anaesthetic than cocaine. The sensation of heat and cold is the
last to be overcome, and the first to revive. Strophanthus is a
cardiac tonic, in its action resembling digitalis. It lessens the
heart's action, lengthens the intervals between the contractions,
and increases the energy of the muscular tissue. In fatal cases
the heart's action is arrested in diastole. It may be used to fulfil
the same indications as digitalis, and is quicker in action and less
protracted, but is considered to be less certain. It is less irri-
tating and more prompt when used hypodermically than digitalis.
It is a very powerful drug. It is also to some degree a diuretic,
and the prolonged use of strophanthus will sometimes cause diar-
rhoea. Besides its employment as a local anaesthetic it is admin-